Too many fans seem to be blown away

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

The central ghost has essentially no bearing on the plot and might as well not be in the flick for all the good it does the narrative, but 'The Devil's Backbone (2001)' isn't really about devils, spirits or backbones of any kind. It actually tackles the usual Guillermo Del Toro themes of man being the biggest monster of all and childhood innocence lost too soon, set to the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War which, while not as lavishly recreated as in 'Pan's Labyrinth (2006)', provides a tangible and rich tapestry for this melancholic tale to be set against and introduces some nice allegoric elements, to boot. The flick is a methodical and character-driven tale of the escalating troubles in an orphanage, with the trademark, but ever-so-slightly neutered, 'shocking violence' that the director has come to be known by exploding onto the screen in its latter half to take it in an entirely unexpected direction. It is the atmosphere that really excels, above even the nicely knitted plot, because it is this that allows the rather predictable turns for each character to feel rooted in a real world and have a lasting impact on the audience. 7/10

Guillermo has proved his talent with a lot of magnificent pieces and this one is such beautiful story. Boy arrived at orphanage and could not even expect what is going to happen to him. From the beginning it was obvious movie is going to reveal us a great deal of secrets that were hidden and it did not disappoint. With his presence Santi just keeps everything going and some of the blackest and deepest secrets come to light. Carlos is absolutely magnificently portrayed and amazing character that just keep landing new stuff and things that are pushed onto him. As the end is coming the orphans had to deal with loss of Dr. Casares and trying to survive without him a three guys that are driven by greed. After only Jacinto is left there they unite and show us how they are powerful and will do anything to survive. Absolutely great story telling and writing done by Guillermo, that created one character that we will not forget Santi. 3/4

The Republicans are losing the Spanish Civil War to General Franco and the right-wing Nationalists. Carlos is sent to an isolated orphanage run by Republican sympathizers one-legged Carmen and Dr. Casares who are hiding a cache of Republican gold. He hasn't been told that his father was killed on the frontlines. Dr. Casares sells his spiced rum "limbo water" to the villagers from a glass jar containing a baby with an exposed spine or the Devil's Backbone. Carlos encounters the ghost of Santi, a boy who disappeared when a giant bomb landed in the middle of the courtyard. The bomb is suppose to have been defused. Carlos is bullied by Jaime and the other boys. Carlos rescues Jaime from drowning and they become friends. Angry groundskeeper Jacinto was once one of the orphans being cared for and Conchita is the beautiful teacher.Carlos has a childhood innocence and this is an intriguing childhood ghost story from Guillermo del Toro. This is not scary but it has the tension of the Spanish Civil War like his later masterpiece "Pan's Labyrinth". It has a mood of dread and feel of wonder. The characters are all compelling. It would be nice to have Carlos and Jaime battle it out a little longer. It's all very well made.

This is what European cinema is all about. Great movie, great story. Hardly a horror movie. There are some appearances of a child ghost but nothing too scarry. The atmosphere is luxuriant and almost dream like, with surreal elements. The only problem for me was Jacinto who became almost overnight a maniac killer and killed without remorse the children and his girlfriend. There was no building up to this moment. Maybe they should have shown something from his previous life at the orphanage so you could understand what drives him to do it, as the desire for gold was not enough in my opinion, there should have been something more.